Outermost House Manual
Welcome
The Outermost House will provide you with an unforgettable vacation! Total privacy, amazing sunrises, stunning sunsets, and total tranquility!
This is your guide to getting the most out of the house and your vacation. Please read it carefully and bookmark it on your devices for easy access during your stay.
Before Arrival
Contact Tim Penicaud at 508-693-3088 so he can be on hand to assist you in arriving at the house. The home is down a sandy road. While most travelers have no problem with this occasionally inexperienced drivers will get stuck in the sand. Having Tim around will help you get unstuck. If Tim is unavailable call Jan Grabowski at (508) 889-7116
Plan for staying at the Outermost House
Make sure to do your grocery shopping and make any liquor store purchases before taking the little ferry across to Chappaquiddick. Stop and Shop in Edgartown is most convenient, and Al’s Liquor Store is
across the street. Remember to buy or bring your own toiletries. Concierge shopping services are available if you would like the houses stocked and ready for your arrival.
The house phone number is 508-627-7537 and may be used for local and USA long-distance calls however international phone calls are prohibited.
Directions to Chappy
First, you will need to get to Martha's Vineyard Island by boat or by plane.
Your next trip is to get to the Chappy ferry. You can either drive to the ferry landing or you can take a cab.
You will then need to get to Chappaquiddick by ferry. If you have a car you get in line for the ferry on Simpsons Lane. There are no reservations. As a passenger you can just walk on.
Car Directions
Take Upper Main St
At the flagpole take a left onto Peases Point Way N. and follow the road to the right.
After the park, as you head up a slight hill, take a right onto Simpsons Lane
Now you will probably be in the ferry line. If there is no line (buy a lottery ticket) take a left onto
North Water street and then an immediate right onto Daggett St
Now you are in the last bit of the ferry line.
Turn off you engine while you wait.
Turn off your headlights until you are off the ferry and on the other side. They blind the ferry driver.
Once on Chappy, you will have a short 10-minute drive over paved and sandy roads
Continue straight onto Chappaquiddick Rd for 1.4 mi
Turn left onto N Neck Rd for 0.3 mi
Turn right to stay on N Neck Rd for 0.6 mi
Pass the Royal and Ancient Chappaquiddick Links Golf Course
Turn right to stay on N Neck Rd for 0.8 mi
Arrive at 1 N Neck Rd
All you have to do is bear left onto North Neck Road. Our caretaker will coordinate your arrival.
Tim Penicaud 508-693-3088
To Visit Edgartown from Outermost House
* Bike or drive (less than 9 minutes) to Chappy Ferry -FREE PARKING- take the Ferry (TIX included) and walk to Downtown EDGARTOWN.
* NO EDGARTOWN PARKING HASSLE.
You Will Need a 4WD Car
If you have a vehicle with 4WD and GOOD CLEARANCE AND DEFLATED TIRES
You can stop reading here and move to the next section. If you don't then please read on and don't say we didn't tell you.
Please note: AWD may not get across the beach without getting stuck. Even in sand mode or snow, the tires dig in until the frame is resting on the sand. Heavy vehicles (especially those with many batteries, hybrids, and fully electric vehicles) make the crossing more difficult (please note that a full car of people and food/luggage, etc. is fine.)
Will you make it? It depends on the specific vehicle and beach conditions. While some AWD vehicles can handle sand, especially if it's firm and wet, many struggle with deep, loose sand due to their lower ground clearance and less robust 4WD systems compared to true 4WD vehicles. For a successful AWD beach drive, always lower your tire pressure to around 15-20 PSI, turn off traction control, maintain momentum, and opt for packed or wet sand over soft, dry conditions.
Some AWD vehicles are actually pretty good. It is more important that the tires be deflated to 10 to 20 pounds and that there be good clearance. The sand is very soft and deep, and the road is rutted, so you can scrape the underbody of the vehicle in the sand between the tire ruts.
You will need a vehicle like a Jeep, Land Rover Range Rover, Bronco, Subaru Outback, Chevy Suburburban, Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, Rivian, Mercedes G-Class
Vehicles that are low to the ground with AWD are not recommended, such as Tesla, Audi Quattro, and lower models of Subaru.
Good clearance is more than 9".
Video AWD Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GvHqc6_ShE
HOW THINGS WORK
Only one door opens to the 2nd floor deck
Please do not raise the venetian blinds (found in the Master bedroom/bathroom, the West bedroom (Library) TV room, the mudroom, and the bedrooms in the guest house). Instead please only use the swivel stick adjuster to open and close the blinds otherwise they will get stuck. There are new blackout shades in all guest bedrooms and the “Library”.
Please keep the dehumidifiers running in the cottage bedrooms unless using the window A/C units.
IF THE LIGHTS GO OUT
Circuit breaker boxes (main house) are at the bottom of the basement stairs left into the mechanical room on the wall. If there are water leaks; turn off well pump switches in breaker box and call caretaker. Cottage breaker is
in the bunk room, left far corner.
WIFI
We have 2G/5G Star link Internet service wireless internet access in both houses. The WIFI network is “Outermost” and the WiFi password is “outermost”.
The best time to download movies is off-peak when people are asleep or out of the house.
If the WiFi gets stuck, unplug the router (in the cleaning closet in the entryway hall) and plug it in a few minutes later to
reboot.
WHERE THINGS ARE
Beach towels are above the washing machine in the mudroom of the main house.
Additional sheets and towels are found in each bedroom/bathroom. There are extra paper towels in the pantry. Extra toilet paper and bottled water
can be found in the closet in the main entranceway.
An ironing board & iron are in the downstairs hall closet.
Beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, kayak paddles and boating equipment are found under the cottage.
Please return everything back underdeck of the cottage after use each day and spray with fresh water
While on the beach tie kayaks securely to one of the secure stakes on the beach.
Restore everything to their designated locations, as originally found before your departure.
There is a fax machine in the master bedroom along with a printer/copier. There is a spare printer and extra paper in the Master bedroom closet. Extra ink is in the Master bedroom desk.
Cable televisions and DVD players are located in the master bedroom and on the second floor across from the window seat inside the cabinetry.
There is a television in the west bedroom (Library) for VCR cassette viewing. VHS cassettes are supplied, however the Edgartown library has a great selection of DVDs if you are looking for additional choices.
Placemats (in the top drawer closest to the dining table in the kitchen) and a tablecloth (pantry bottom shelf). When eating at the outdoor dining tables, please always use placemats as the wood will absorb any food oils & residue.
Play ping pong in the basement as well as enjoy the many board games to be found in the downstairs TV room.
WATER
This house is situated on a peninsula that juts out into Cape Pogue Pond. The house has a private well that provides water, which has a brackish (slightly salty) taste. It is safe to drink but not of the quality that you may be used to.
In 2025, the owners installed a whole-house reverse osmosis system with a 1,000-gallon storage tank. If you run out of water, you will need to switch the basement valve located in the Utility room to bypass the tank and return the house to the brackish water. Here is how to prevent that from happening.
The Whole House RO cannot keep up with a full house of people using water as if they are on the mainland. Each person typically uses 100 gallons. When you think about this you realize that it is incredibly wasteful.
The less water you use (kids have to be monitored and taught this), the better the RO system will work.
Two smaller RO systems are installed at the main house and cottage kitchen sinks to provide drinking water.
WATER CONSERVATION methods that will help keep you on the RO system.
Guests should use the Navy shower technique. This is where you turn off the water flow while soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. Use full loads in appliances: Run dishwashers and washing machines only when they're full.
Let towels air dry between uses.
Turn off the tap: Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing dishes. For extra credit: Flush toilets only when necessary. If it is yellow, let it mellow.
No allowance or refund will be made for the loss of the RO system or its inability to keep up with your water use habits.
KITCHEN
The kitchen sink garbage disposal on/off switch is under the sink, on the right side of the wall. Please do not allow food to collect in the disposal as ants will make an appearance.
If you are FRYING indoors, you must open the doors at either end of the house (upstairs) to prevent the SMOKE ALARM from activating.
Propane grills are located on the deck of each house. Replacement tanks are in the garage.
The refrigerators in both house’s kitchens should cover all of your needs.
However, there is an additional fridge in the basement if needed. There are coolers in the garage for soft drinks/beer, etc if needed.
ALARM
If you activate the Alarm ---PRESS “1962” on the alarm pad.
TRASH
Trash from under the kitchen sink must be tied off securely and put in the trash barrels in the garage with lids securely on or there will be problems with flies. Spare bags can be found in the pantry. Trash pickup is provided
early Saturday morning so please have the trash placed in the barrels in the garage on Friday night. Martha’s Vineyard combines trash and recycling and separates it off island.
FERRY to EDGARTOWN
Crossing on the Chappy ferry as pedestrians is the best way to enjoy Edgartown, as parking downtown is challenging. There are so many great restaurants there, just book in advance. We have given you some tickets—please leave any remainder in the house for the next guest. The easiest way to do this is for each person to take their ticket to the ferry when they leave the house.
TAKE OUT & CATERING & FOOD
Bill Smith is a good lobster dinner catering service and they are familiar with accessing our property. Edgartown Seafood Market will deliver full lobster dinners to the ferry already prepared or live for your own preparation. You can pick up the delivery on the Chappy side without having to buy a ticket.
Edgartown Meat & Fish Market serves Starbucks coffee, has a sushi & raw bar, gourmet market & deli, prime steaks and seafood; baked goods, and beach basket services. They also sell beer and wine.
Stop & Shop has been enlarged and has a great variety of food
ON CHAPPY
Chappaquiddick has a very nice Community Center (free wifi), left at the end of North Neck and you are there. A tennis & basketball court is
located on the premises. Tennis rackets are in the main house hall closet.
Slip Away Farm, just beyond the community center, sells fresh organic produce.
If you continue straight a mile past the Farm you will come to the beautiful Mytoi Japanese Gardens. Admission is free and the gardens are a lovely retreat and visual indulgence!
Enjoy a picnic on the beach or a refreshing swim in the ocean.
MVOL.com is a great site for MV activities. Pick up the latest guides found at Stop & Shop and businesses. Guided tours are given by the Trustees of Reservations. The Cape Pogue Lighthouse tour is very popular.
Download the TrailsMV app from another great walking trail resource!
Kiteboard lessons are a specialty in
Cape Poge Bay as well as scenic biplane flights out of Katama. Star gazing here is extremely clear and there is a telescope for close-ups on clear nights. Download star gazing apps on your cell phone too.
BOATS
The use of boats and equipment is only allowed after the Hold Harmless Waiver has been signed by the Tenant.
Watercraft use is limited to Cape Pogue Bay and North of the main house.
If you have no prior sailing experience, please do not sail. For the novice sailor, these boats will easily capsize and injure those onboard or get damaged.
Sails, rudders, centerboards & paddles are under the cottage.
The canoe, kayak & paddle board are best to use for those looking for an easier, fun experience. Do not sail or kayak when small craft advisories
are issued. Please use good judgment.
The swim platform is located in approximately 5 feet of water depending on the tide, so please do not dive off of it. If there are tubes tied to it, they are for use off the swim platform and not for towing. If you have brought your own or rented a powerboat, the towing tube tow line and life jackets are located under the cottage.
When kayaking, head straight off our point/peninsula to access East Beach. A straight shot across and a tiny traverse across via the sandy road will have you at one of the Vineyard’s most stunning beaches. Just be sure the kayaks are securely placed well up onshore and take the paddles with you.
Kayaking up to Dike’s bridge on Poucha Pond is also a fun and beautiful destination; just bear right off the point (head to the southeast corner of Cape Pogue). Just a reminder that Tenants are responsible for missing or broken watercraft & their accompanying items, such as paddles, sails, masts & booms, centerboards, rudders, oars, lifejackets, etc.
The Jeep Wrangler, Boston Whaler, and the Opti are for Owners use only.
FISHING
There are several Fishing Poles and Lures provided in the Garage—if you break something or lose something –please replace it.
MOORING
Aqua Marine installs the morning and the swim platform typically in May and removes it in late September.